Sentencing the three thugs at Chester Crown Court, Judge Elgan Edwards, Honorary Recorder of Chester, awarded a commendation to Miss Ward for her 'quick-thinking and brave actions'.

Prosecutor Brendan Anderson said that at 11pm on October 18, Mr Law left his sister's house in Ellesmere Port and walked home through the town centre. In Westminster Road he saw the group of three standing in a shop doorway.

Two were arguing about how they would get home to Birkenhead. One asked Mr Law the time of the next train, but he did not know.

Mr Anderson said: 'One of the three then punched Mr Law without warning to the left side of his head with a clenched fist.

'This man also kicked him to the floor. Mr Law was hit again in the mouth. He passed out temporarily and came round to find all three kicking him to the head and body.

'Mr Law could feel his head being kicked from side to side with the impact. He says he was kicked about 15 times.'

He said it was difficult to identify who was responsible for what, but Judge Edwards said all three were equally responsible.

Miss Ward then arrived at the scene. In Whitby Road, she heard Mr Law screaming and saw him curled up in a ball.

She went round the corner and called the police. The three walked off in the direction of the railway station.

Mr Law had swelling to his head, blurred vision, a cut lip, bruises and a black eye.

The Miller brothers, both from Kenilworth Gardens, off Upton Road, Overchurch, have previous convictions for violent disorder, assault and ABH.

Smith, of Lions Road, Moreton, has previous convictions for affray.

He is already serving a jail sentence for possessing an offensive weapon and violent disorder.

All three had denied wounding Mr Law with intent to cause GBH, but they all admitted a lesser charge of unlawfully wounding.